Paraneoplastic syndromes are a group of abnormal symptoms found in cancer patients. They are caused by the cancer producing hormones or certain proteins that affect various organs throughout the body or by the immune system attacking itself. Patients will have different symptoms depending on which organ system is affected.
Paraneoplastic Syndromes can occur in many organ systems throughout the body, including the brain, nervous system, endocrine system, kidneys, bones and joints, skin, or blood. They are considered one of the early signs of cancer and are found in approximately 8–20% of cancer patients. However, this group of symptoms is very rare.
Symptoms of Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Paraneoplastic Syndromes typically present with fever , loss of appetite, weight loss, or night sweats. Symptoms can vary depending on the organ system affected, such as:
Nervous system and brain
People may experience dizziness, double vision, seizures, changes in behavior and thinking, problems sleeping, swallowing, talking, or memory, muscle weakness, nervous system dysfunction, problems with reflexes, sensation, or coordination, or loss of sensation in arms or legs.
Endocrine system
Patients may have high levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which can cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, confusion, muscle weakness, muscle rigidity, high blood pressure, slow heart rate , unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands or legs, low blood sugar , or acute kidney failure.
Bones, joints and muscles
Patients may experience pain, arthritis, joint pain, swelling, joint stiffness, muscle weakness, muscle pain, or clubbing fingers.
Skin
Patients may experience skin problems such as red, flaky skin, itching, rashes or sores on the skin, thickening of the skin, brown or black skin , hair loss or abnormal hair growth.
blood
Patients may have low red blood cell counts, high platelet and white blood cell counts, unusually pale skin, fatigue, trouble breathing, deep vein thrombosis, or abnormal blood protein flow.
Other organ systems
Paraneoplastic Syndromes can affect the kidneys, causing an imbalance of acid and base, swelling of both legs, fluid retention in the body, or excessive protein in the urine. It can also affect the digestive system, causing loose stools, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or low levels of protein in the blood from being excreted from the body through the stool.
If symptoms of Paraneoplastic Syndromes are found, patients should see a doctor early because these symptoms are the first signs of cancer. If patients are diagnosed early, they will receive appropriate treatment sooner.
Causes of Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Paraneoplastic Syndromes may result from certain types of cancer secreting hormones or proteins that cause organs in the body to malfunction, or from the immune system producing antibodies or T-cells that destroy normal cells and tissues instead of cancer cells, causing symptoms in various organ systems.
This syndrome can occur in patients with any type of cancer, but is more common in patients with lung cancer, such as small cell lung cancer, skin cancer , such as squamous cell carcinoma, brain cancer, breast cancer , stomach cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Middle-aged people, the elderly, and people with a history of cancer or family history of cancer, such as lung cancer, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, or breast cancer, may be at higher risk of developing Paraneoplastic Syndromes than others.
Diagnosis of Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Initially, the doctor will ask about the patient’s and family’s medical history, examine the body and function of various organ systems, and may also order additional tests for a more accurate diagnosis, such as:
- Neurological examination to test the functioning of the nervous system in various aspects such as reflexes, muscle strength, vision, hearing, memory, emotions, or coordination of various organs.
- Blood teststo look for proteins and antibodies that may be associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, or a complete blood count to make sure it is not the result of another health problem that causes similar symptoms, such as an infection, hormonal disorder, or metabolic disorder.
- Imaging tests such as CT scan, ultrasound, MRI scan, or PET scanto find tumors in the body, especially in the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or breasts.
- Lumbar puncture to look for signs of antibodies that attack normal, non-cancerous cells in cases where the antibodies may not be detected in the blood.
Treatment of Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Doctors will plan treatment for the cancer that causes Paraneoplastic Syndromes for each patient in order to control symptoms and minimize damage to the body’s internal organs.
The doctor may recommend that the patient use medications to treat the condition, such as corticosteroids such as cortisone or prednisone, which reduce inflammation, immunosuppressants that slow the production of white blood cells, or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) injections that reduce the amount of abnormal antibodies in the body.
In addition, some patients may need plasmapheresis, which removes antibodies from the plasma that damage normal cells, or other treatments such as physical therapy or speech therapy if they have speech or swallowing problems.
Complications of Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Paraneoplastic syndromes can cause a variety of complications, which can be mild, severe, or even permanent organ damage and death, depending on the stage of the tumor, the type of cancer, and the organ systems affected by the syndrome.
Prevention of Paraneoplastic Syndromes
There is currently no way to prevent Paraneoplastic Syndromes, but you may be able to reduce your risk of this condition by taking care of your health and staying away from cancer, such as:
- Eat a healthy diet, especially vegetables and fruits, and reduce your intake of processed , sugaryand fatty foods.
- Maintain a healthy weight by doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
- Limit your alcohol intake and refrain from smoking.
- Protect your skin from the sun regularly by wearing long-sleeved shirts, hats, or sunglasses. Apply sunscreenwith an SPF of at least 30 before leaving the house or try to stay outdoors as little as possible.
- Get vaccinated against certain diseases or health problems that can lead to cancer, such as the hepatitis B vaccine and the human papillomavirus ( HPV) vaccine.
- Practice safe sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases that can lead to cancer. Always wear a condomor use a condom during sex, and have only one sexual partner.
- Go for an annual health check-up or cancer screeningas recommended by your doctor, such as skin cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, or cervical cancer, which will increase your chances of treatment and may lead to a faster recovery.
